Banshee Throws a Wildcard in the mix - Preview Article
Feb 19, 2008
Banshee Bikes has been a big name since the 'huckfest' we knew as the late 90's. There were more Morphines, and Screams in the average garage than McDonalds wrappers on the passenger seat. After the 'huckfest' died off, big bulky bikes were turned into Pop machines, and Parking Meters. As the Industry shifts, Banshee Bikes continues to be up there with the big boys, especially with the creation of there Downhill, and Slopestyle bikes. The Wildcard is Banshee's answer to the growing love for Slopestyle bikes in the industry, and it is definitely a head turner.
Jay and Keith have been busy over at Banshee Bikes, dotting their i's, and crossing their t's, to bring you guys one of the sickest slopestyle bikes. With adjustable travel from 5", to 6.5", the Wildcard is one of the most versatile bikes I have seen in a while. Utilizing a 27.5" stand over height, the Wildcard is using all its weapons to bring you guys the most versatile, comfortable bike in a long time, and with the option of Coil or Air shock from the factory, they are appealing to all the audiences.
The Wildcard, as a frame is very well pieced together. Coming in Satin Black, with white decals, it's appealing to the eyes, along with the Black linkage plates, the frame is all around clean. The ribbed chain stays add to the sleek lines, while the clean front triangle makes for easy viewing. The sloping top tube drops a lot, right down to 27.5" stand over height at its lowest point, but suits it well as it's marketed as a "slopestyle" bike.
The build kit Banshee Bikes supplied is well thought out and a perfect fit for this style of bike. The supplied fork is a 2008 Manitou Travis TPC 150mm. One part of this fork that stood out right off the bat was the chrome decals they put on them this year. Everything is about the "flash" factor this year, and this fork is definitely flashy, but really clean.
The other parts included in the build were rather suiting of the frame, Funn supplied a set of their Xlrater wheels, which are sick looking wheels. Matched up with a Funn Full Bore bar, and Rippa Stem, both in white, the bike started to take shape.
Gamut hooked up one of their P30 chain guides, as well in white, so the color scheme would all match. A set of Funn Hooka DH cranks, with their integrated but external bearing bottom bracket mated nicely to the Gamut guide.
The one part that really sealed the deal for me was the 20th Anniversary SRAM X.O derailleur, with its fancy gold accents. Nothing accents a huge part of a bike like carbon and gold do. Not only that, but the shifting that X.0 delivers is top notch all the time. The crisp clean feeling of a freshly setup 1:1 ratio derailleur and shifter combo is one of my favorite things. SRAM has dialed this derailleur in, right down to the sealed pulley bearings, and the titanium main spring.
Something new to me on this bike was the rear shock. Banshee chose to supply the Wildcard with an Air shock, which is not out of the ordinary for a bike such as this, however it was one I don't know a lot about. The Manitou Evolver 6 is Manitou's answer to the long travel, enduro, and free ride based bikes. At 492 grams, this shock is definitely light. I was rather confused when I first tried setting up this shock, but after some thought, and some research, I figured out it's not to far off other more common rear shocks for set up, except it doesn't require tools to tune in, no Allen keys, this baby is all dials. With external adjustments for Bottom Out, Rebound, Hi-Speed Compression, and Low-Speed Compression this shock was super easy to set up once I had the air pressure dialed, and with the Wildcard's ability to change from 5", to 6.5", the external adjustments will be super handy come long travel time.
All in all the build is going quite well, and I am super excited to tear the trails when it's complete. Stay tuned at Pinkbike.com for a follow up once it's complete. Props to:
Banshee Bikes
Funn MTB Components
Manitou MTB
Check out all the images of the build components so far in My Wildcard Album.
The Wildcard, as a frame is very well pieced together. Coming in Satin Black, with white decals, it's appealing to the eyes, along with the Black linkage plates, the frame is all around clean. The ribbed chain stays add to the sleek lines, while the clean front triangle makes for easy viewing. The sloping top tube drops a lot, right down to 27.5" stand over height at its lowest point, but suits it well as it's marketed as a "slopestyle" bike.
 |  |  |
The build kit Banshee Bikes supplied is well thought out and a perfect fit for this style of bike. The supplied fork is a 2008 Manitou Travis TPC 150mm. One part of this fork that stood out right off the bat was the chrome decals they put on them this year. Everything is about the "flash" factor this year, and this fork is definitely flashy, but really clean.
 |  |  |
The other parts included in the build were rather suiting of the frame, Funn supplied a set of their Xlrater wheels, which are sick looking wheels. Matched up with a Funn Full Bore bar, and Rippa Stem, both in white, the bike started to take shape.
Wheel Set
 |  |  |
Gamut hooked up one of their P30 chain guides, as well in white, so the color scheme would all match. A set of Funn Hooka DH cranks, with their integrated but external bearing bottom bracket mated nicely to the Gamut guide.
Pedals
The one part that really sealed the deal for me was the 20th Anniversary SRAM X.O derailleur, with its fancy gold accents. Nothing accents a huge part of a bike like carbon and gold do. Not only that, but the shifting that X.0 delivers is top notch all the time. The crisp clean feeling of a freshly setup 1:1 ratio derailleur and shifter combo is one of my favorite things. SRAM has dialed this derailleur in, right down to the sealed pulley bearings, and the titanium main spring.
 |  |
Something new to me on this bike was the rear shock. Banshee chose to supply the Wildcard with an Air shock, which is not out of the ordinary for a bike such as this, however it was one I don't know a lot about. The Manitou Evolver 6 is Manitou's answer to the long travel, enduro, and free ride based bikes. At 492 grams, this shock is definitely light. I was rather confused when I first tried setting up this shock, but after some thought, and some research, I figured out it's not to far off other more common rear shocks for set up, except it doesn't require tools to tune in, no Allen keys, this baby is all dials. With external adjustments for Bottom Out, Rebound, Hi-Speed Compression, and Low-Speed Compression this shock was super easy to set up once I had the air pressure dialed, and with the Wildcard's ability to change from 5", to 6.5", the external adjustments will be super handy come long travel time.
 |  |
All in all the build is going quite well, and I am super excited to tear the trails when it's complete. Stay tuned at Pinkbike.com for a follow up once it's complete. Props to:
Banshee Bikes
Funn MTB Components
Manitou MTB
Check out all the images of the build components so far in My Wildcard Album.
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40 Comments
- + 5
aerosteeze
(Feb 15, 2008 at 13:21)
Post some pics up when its all asembled. It looks really dope. I like the wildcards alot
looking at thet spec, you should start lifting weights from around now to be able to ride it properly?
What is the huge craze with light bikes right now. Its not like its gonna kill you if it weighs a few pounds more.
Well this article is all about bling factor...what is sad, as riders don't need another trendwhore bike for such a high price. slopestyle bike...? haha, it's the rider not the bike that makes bike slopetyle one, not just freeride... and if you want a really good bike for slopestyle with shorter chainstays by 0,8 cm than wildcards, adjustable headset by 2 degrees, 12mm maxle in the rear and superstiff, lightweight frame go with the Corsair Konig, the best slopestyle frame on the market. Their consumer service is as good as transitions but they offer alot more than any other company out there.
builttoride, you are working for them, so your opinion doesn't really count as you are trying to sell your own product.
yeah, true I do work for them, and as such I know the wildcard is not a p.o.s. far from it! I just feel I have a right to defend my product.
a1n2d3r4z5e6j7,
Your idea of a slopestyle bike sounds great to me, however, different bikes for different people. Not everyone is going to enjoy the head angle that you may enjoy, or the chainstay length, so these companies try to come with a happy medium. The Corsair Konig is a sick bike, but I am sure there are people out there that would pick the Wildcard over it. So, please don't poke fun at a company that trie's so hard to dial in a bike thats best for its audience. After all, they are the ones making the bikes, not you.
Your idea of a slopestyle bike sounds great to me, however, different bikes for different people. Not everyone is going to enjoy the head angle that you may enjoy, or the chainstay length, so these companies try to come with a happy medium. The Corsair Konig is a sick bike, but I am sure there are people out there that would pick the Wildcard over it. So, please don't poke fun at a company that trie's so hard to dial in a bike thats best for its audience. After all, they are the ones making the bikes, not you.
I think this article is missing proper side-view picture of the frame.
I look forward to hear how that shock performs.
I look forward to hear how that shock performs.
Ahahaha... spoiledgoods, please. Slopestyle. Think, Ok? Slopestyle. Think again. It is not all mountain. It is not just freeride and riding in moutains. It is a competition, a type of competition where bike should be maxed out in every possible way, even though some will compete on hardtails, others on 180mm freeride fullys... I'm riding now a Stinky, it's 180mm of f***ing travel, sooo long and it's in L size, however still have no problems with 360ing it and riding dirt on it. Remember Chris Soininen? Actual Banshee team rider, he was doing off axis backflips, tailwhips, dialed 36's on his stinky too before he signed with Banshee. My point is, that if I want to buy a SLOPESTYLE bike, I don't need adjustable travel(165mm- what for?) which is the reason of longer than needed chainstays etc. So calling a bike that 'could be a slopestyle bike also' is just a pathetic way to get bigger sales due to the slopestyle trends.
You try to convince people that you've made slopstyle bike but it is probably great all round bike, what isn't bad for consumer needs.
I hope you know what I mean.
You try to convince people that you've made slopstyle bike but it is probably great all round bike, what isn't bad for consumer needs.
I hope you know what I mean.
a1n2d3r4z5e6j7 - I understand what your are saying. You can also DH on a hardtail, an XC bike, and hell even a BMX... wouldn't you want a DH race bike though? Sure the lines between SS and Freeride are somewhat blurred but if its a true SS bike it should make it EASIER to do the 360s and flipwhips and stuff. Seriously would you rather 360 a 45lb Kona or a 34lb Wildcard... Its ok that you don't understand what slopestyle is but alot of riders understand the difference between a "jibbing/SS" bike and a "freeride" bike.
I agree with you completely, but most of the riders ride DH on wildcard on the 5 inch setting right? Because it lowers bottom bracket, slackens the headtube so the geometry is nicer right? Some claim it's like a rocket at 5' setting 
I would love to see Wildcard getting shorter chainstays for 2009 and replaceable dropouts for 12mm axle option. I know you ride a Banshee or work for them so you would defend them to death and you have the right, but it can be better and you guys know it.
Not that I like the feel of my Kona but it's 41lb and I would def. swap it for Wildcard anyday... if there weren't better options for me.
I would love to see Wildcard getting shorter chainstays for 2009 and replaceable dropouts for 12mm axle option. I know you ride a Banshee or work for them so you would defend them to death and you have the right, but it can be better and you guys know it. Not that I like the feel of my Kona but it's 41lb and I would def. swap it for Wildcard anyday... if there weren't better options for me.
[Reply]
bottle rockets are heavier but they are also 400 dollers cheaper and look at the dinky rocky arm on the banshee. kinda freaks me out. Also how do you know it rides good with 2 travel positions? the bottlerocket has a couple of years of refining and the banshee just came out. both awsome though
the reason its called a "slopestyle" frame is because that is how its been designed in the geometry/ production it is lighter,shorter,lower to maximize the riders potential in the slopestyle genre. Of course it can be used for DH or whatever any bike can be used for anything. But some will perform better then others in certain aspects.
Some say its all the rider but some bikes can hold a rider back while others can allow the rider to progress at a faster rate cause it is designed for what the rider does. The wildcrad is dam solid and very fun to ride ,its ace.
Some say its all the rider but some bikes can hold a rider back while others can allow the rider to progress at a faster rate cause it is designed for what the rider does. The wildcrad is dam solid and very fun to ride ,its ace.
[Reply]
people now days don't know what a good bike and banshee was good on tell of last year where they f*cked up bigtime .
Why are you guys saying that its a slopestyle specific bike? any of you World Class riders??? no....didn't think so...if a good rider stands at the top of a DH run wiv a Kona Cinder Cone and has the bottle to do it...then he can do it...I frequently run through my local 4X track on my 224...then go and do a XC run...and I love all of it! Guys...it isn't about what the bike is designed for...it's what the rider is willing to do with it...remeber, mountain biking is about having fun!!!
ahaha, actually heppy is a world class slopestyle rider, haha. but yeah I like your point about any ike being up to any task as long as the rider is capable, but some bikes make certain tasks easier, thats all.
Yup, I agree, stop bitching and go have fun riding! haha
Yup, I agree, stop bitching and go have fun riding! haha
Depends on the build up but average is probably around 4300 - 4700. I just bought one yesturday and let me tell you....worth every penny!
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